A participle is a verb form that can be used as an adjective.
1) Present participles end in – ing.
Examples: Our soccer team had a winning season. [Winning modifies season.]
Shivering with cold, we decided to go indoors. [Shivering modifies we.]
I found three kittens sleeping in the flower bed. [Sleeping modifies kittens.]
2) Most past participles end in –d or –ed. Some are irregularly formed.
Examples: We visited a Spanish mission established in the 1600s. [Established modifies mission.]
The swollen river overflowed its banks. [Swollen modifies river.]
Do not confuse a participle used as an adjective with a participle used as part of a verb phrase.
adjective: We found Ms. Jacobs working in her garden.
verb phrase: Ms. Jacobs was working in her garden.